Guterres praises Pakistan’s diplomacy and urges more climate funding

Speaking at the Foreign Service Academy, Guterres praised generations of Pakistani UN peacekeepers for their work protecting civilians and supporting fragile peace processes. He also commended Pakistan’s efforts to encourage dialogue between the United States and Iran. His remarks did not announce a peace agreement. [1]

Recalling his visit during Pakistan’s 2022 floods, Guterres said the country accounted for around 1 per cent of global emissions but was highly vulnerable to climate disasters. He credited Pakistan’s leadership of the Group of 77 and China with helping secure the Loss and Damage Fund nearly four years ago. Less than $500 million had since been transferred to the fund’s Trust Fund, he said, while estimating the worldwide annual cost of climate disasters at around $200 billion. He called for the fund to be put into operation and given more money. [1]

Guterres also argued that progress in Pakistan depended on respect for human rights, the rule of law and civic space. He urged developing countries to help shape the rules for artificial intelligence rather than simply use technology developed elsewhere. [1]